North Island Wine Regions by Rental Car: Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough

Quick summary: The North Island’s wine regions are spread down its length, and each has a convenient rental car pickup. Auckland’s airport and city depots serve Kumeu, Matakana and the ferry to Waiheke Island. Napier Airport puts you minutes from Hawke’s Bay’s cellar doors and art deco streets. Wellington is around 80 km from Martinborough over the Remutaka Hill. Linking all three by car makes a classic North Island wine trail.

At a glance
Auckland	Kumeu and Matakana by car; Waiheke by passenger ferry
Hawke’s Bay	Napier Airport, close to the Gimblett Gravels and coastal vineyards
Martinborough	Wellington, around 80 km away
Auckland to Napier	Around 420 km via Taupō
Napier to Martinborough	Around 290 km
Tours	Hawke’s Bay wine tours

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How do you reach Auckland’s wine areas by car?

Kumeu lies north-west of the city and Matakana an hour or so north, both easy day trips from an Auckland base. For Waiheke Island, leave the car on the mainland and take the passenger ferry from downtown Auckland, around 40 minutes, then join a tour or use island transport. See Auckland wine country and Waiheke Island.

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Why fly into Napier for Hawke’s Bay?

Because Napier Airport is right on the edge of the region. Collect a car, and within minutes you’re among Hawke’s Bay’s vineyards, with Havelock North, the Gimblett Gravels and Te Mata Peak all close by. Napier’s art deco centre and the coastal wineries make a relaxed base. See Hawke’s Bay.

How do you get to Martinborough from Wellington?

Drive north-east over the Remutaka Hill, around 80 km and an hour and a quarter. The road is steep and winding over the range, then flat through the Wairarapa. Martinborough’s cellar doors cluster around the village square, so once you’ve arrived, many are within walking or cycling distance. See Martinborough.

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Can you drive the whole North Island wine trail?

Yes. Auckland to Hawke’s Bay via Taupō, then south to Martinborough and Wellington, is a natural one-way route over a week or more. See the North Island wine trail and wine road trips by car.

Where should you stay?

Close to the cellar doors, so the car stays parked on tasting days. Havelock North and Napier in Hawke’s Bay, and Martinborough village itself, have plenty of accommodation within walking or cycling distance of wineries.

Frequently Asked Questions